China has warned of potential countermeasures in response to President Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods, which he attributes to fentanyl trafficking. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce criticized the U.S. for blaming them for the opioid crisis and highlighted their strict drug laws. The ongoing situation reflects the complications in U.S.-China trade relations amid a serious overseas opioid epidemic.

Following the announcement by President Donald Trump of new tariffs on Chinese imports, China has responded with a warning of impending ‘countermeasures’. The tariffs, which include an additional 10 percent charge on Chinese goods, are justified by the U.S. as a reaction to the alleged trafficking of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, into the United States.

On March 4, Trump outlined plans to implement this additional tariff while moving forward with a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. He stated that the action is necessary due to the high levels of fentanyl entering the country, which he labeled as “very high and unacceptable.”

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has issued a statement asserting that Chinese drug laws are among the strictest globally and accused Washington of “shifting the blame and shirking responsibility” regarding the opioid crisis. They called for the U.S. to engage in equitable dialogue to resolve the disputes at hand.

A ministry spokesperson announced, “If the U.S. insists on proceeding with this course of action, China will take all necessary countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.” They further emphasized that unilateral tariffs violate the rules of the World Trade Organization and disrupt the multilateral trading system.

In the United States, over 74,000 deaths from synthetic opioid overdoses were reported in the previous year. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, China is viewed as a primary source of precursor chemicals associated with fentanyl production, predominantly trafficked by Mexican drug cartels. However, Beijing insists that it has cooperated with the U.S. in addressing this crisis by collaborating on drug control efforts.

In summary, the ongoing tariff dispute between China and the United States has escalated, with China’s Ministry of Commerce indicating potential countermeasures against the newly announced tariffs by President Trump. The discourse highlights the complexities surrounding the opioid crisis and the responsibilities of both nations in addressing drug trafficking. The situation underscores the necessity of mutual dialogue to resolve international trade disputes effectively.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com

Related posts:

Trade Dynamics: Response of Mexico, Canada, and China to U.S. Tariffs Global Trade Tensions Escalate as Trump Imposes Tariffs on Key Partners Trump Delays Tariffs on Mexico as Trade Talks with Canada Falter China Implements Targeted Tariffs in Response to U.S. Levies